THE PLANNING COMMISSION HELD A WORKSESSION ON APRIL 7, 2009 AT 6:30PM IN THE CITY HALL COUNCIL WORK ROOM TO DISCUSS THE PLANNING AND ZONING WORK PROGRAM AND BUDGET.


Regular Public Hearing

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

7:30 PM, COUNCIL CHAMBERS
301 KING STREET, CITY HALL
ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA

The Alexandria Planning Commission docket
is subject to change. Planning and Zoning staff
can provide information on changes
that occur prior to the meeting.

Staff reports on each item are available
in the Department of Planning and Zoning.

The Planning Commission reserves the right to
vary the order of the meeting, if so announced.

Department of Planning and Zoning
301 King Street, City Hall, Room 2100
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
phone: (703) 746-4666

* * * * *


1. Call to Order.

The Planning Commission meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m.


2. Planning Commission advisory recommendations to the City Manager, under Section
6.14 of the City Charter, regarding the Capital Improvement Program. Staff: Office of
Management and Budget.

The Planning Commission reviewed the Proposed FY2010 to FY2015 Capital
Improvement Program and found it generally consistent with the City's Master Plan,
except in regard to the funding of the acquisition of Open Space. The Planning
Commission strongly recommends that the City Council fully fund the Open Space
program by restoring the dedication of one percent of the real estate revenues to the Open
Space program, and not dedicate those revenues to the General Fund. The Planning
Commission also recommends that the City Council make a renewed effort to seek
additional capital funds to implement the various small area plans and other plans which
have already been adopted, or are under current consideration.

CONSENT CALENDAR:
AN ITEM ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR WILL BE HEARD ONLY IF SOMEONE REQUESTS IT BE REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT DOCKET. ITEMS NOT REMOVED WILL BE APPROVED OR RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL AS A GROUP AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING.


3. This item was moved to the regular agenda.

4. SPECIAL USE PERMIT #2009-0005
4915 and 4920 BRENMAN PARK DRIVE
BRIGHT START LEARNING CENTER
Consideration of a request for an expansion of an existing child day care center to provide
an additional classroom; zoned CDD#9/Coordinated Development District
Applicant: Bright Start Learning Center by Kerri Chase

5. SPECIAL USE PERMIT #2009-0009
4906 BRENMAN PARK DRIVE (Parcel Address: 191 Somerville Street)
FOOD MATTERS RESTAURANT
Consideration of a request for an expansion of an existing restaurant, an increase of
indoor and outdoor seating and a parking reduction; zoned CDD#9/Coordinated
Development District. Applicant: Food Matters, LLC by Victoria & Gerry Hebert
and Christy & Tom Przystawik


CONSENT CALENDAR ACTION:

ITEMS MOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR:

3. SPECIAL USE PERMIT #2009-0001
2018 MT VERNON AVE
THAI PEPPERS RESTAURANT
Consideration of a request to change the ownership of a restaurant and for a special use
permit amendment to allow increased seating, delivery service, alcohol service,
and a request for a parking reduction; zoned CL/Commercial Low.
Applicant: Tasneeya Gordon

ACTION: RECOMMENDED APPROVAL 7-0


UNFINISHED BUSINESS AND ITEMS PREVIOUSLY DEFERRED:

6A-C. DEVELOPMENT SITE PLAN #2007-0011
SPECIAL USE PERMIT #2008-0084
ENCROACHMENT #2008-0005
532 NORTH WASHINGTON STREET
OFFICE BUILDING ADDITION
Consideration of a request for a development site plan for an addition to an office
building, a parking reduction and a request to for an encroachment into the public right of
way; zoned OC/Office Commercial. Applicant: North Parkway, LLC by Duncan Blair,
attorney

ACTION: DSP APPROVED 7-0
SUP RECOMMENDED APPROVAL 7-0
ENC RECOMMENDED APPROVAL 7-0


TEXT AMENDMENTS AND STUDIES:

7. GREEN BUILDING POLICY
Consideration of a request to adopt the Green Building Policy.
Staff: Department of Planning and Zoning

ACTION: ADOPTED 7-0



8. CITY WAYFINDING SIGN PROGRAM
Consideration of a request to approve Phase 1 Design Guidelines for the City's
Wayfinding Sign Program. Staff: Department of Planning and Zoning

ACTION: APPROVED 6-0-1


NEW BUSINESS:

9. DEVELOPMENT SPECIAL USE PERMIT #2006-0006
3650 WHEELER AVENUE
LINDSAY LEXUS
Consideration of a request for a development special use permit, with site plan, to
construct a parking facility for more than 20 vehicles and a light repair service facility;
zoned I/Industrial. Applicant: Lindsay Cadillac Company, Inc. by J. Howard Middleton,
attorney

ACTION: RECOMMENDED APPROVAL 7-0

10. DEVELOPMENT SPECIAL USE PERMIT #2004-0028
6101 AND 6125 STEVENSON AVENUE
STEVENSON AVENUE RESIDENTIAL
Consideration of a request for a development special use permit, with site plan to
construct a residential building with an affordable housing bonus density
pursuant to Sec. 7-700 of the Zoning Ordinance and additional height;
zoned OCM(50)/Office Commercial Medium. Applicant: Steven A. Hansen, LLC
and WWIV Stevenson Avenue, LLC by M. Catharine Puskar

ACTION: RECOMMENDED APPROVAL 7-0

11. DEVELOPMENT SITE PLAN #2008-0017
4615 SEMINARY ROAD & 4550 WEST BRADDOCK ROAD
ENCORE APARTMENTS CLUBHOUSE
Consideration of a request for a development site plan for renovation of and an addition
to an existing pool house into a clubhouse and additional parking; zoned RB/Residential.
Applicant: Bonaventure Realty Group by M. Catharine Puskar, attorney

ACTION: APPROVED 7-0

12. Consideration of approval of the Planning Commission minutes of the regular public
hearing of March 5, 2009.

ACTION: APPROVED WITH AMENDMENTS

13. Administrative Approvals: The following special use permits have been administratively
approved by the Department of Planning and Zoning:

SUP2009-0002
Location: 1201 Braddock Place
Applicant: Meridian Deli and Convenience Store, LLC
Request: Change of Ownership

14. Other Business.

The Planning Commission discussed the appropriateness of Planning and Zoning staff
notifying applicants that their request may not be supported by staff before an application
is submitted for formal review and public hearing. Mr. Jennings expressed that
applicants should not be discouraged from applying and going through the hearing
process. Mr. Wagner and Mr. Robinson commented that it is appropriate for staff to be
honest and upfront early in the process about the obstacles an applicant may face if they
decide to pursue approval through the hearing process.

15. Adjournment.

The Planning Commission public hearing adjourned at 11:30 P.M.

Attendance:
Messrs. Wagner, Robinson, Komoroske, Jennings, Dunn, Ms. Fossum and Ms. Lyman.